Hey, Spike! helps helpers for fun Copperite's cause

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The emails are flying fast and furious, the Facebook page is getting hundreds of "likes," and plans are in the works for Copper Mountain Resort's 40th anniversary celebration - and fundraiser - to be held at this ski season's end.

Slated for April 12-14, "A Reunion Celebration and Benefit" - 40 years of friends, employees, community members, and fans of Copper Mountain Resort, plus a benefit for one of Copper's most notorious community members.

"We are planning a reunion event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Copper Mountain. With your help and participation, we will also be raising funds to support Chuck "CJ" Julin, current executive director of Team Summit and Copper Mountain employee #116," say Paula Parker and Marcia Spenst.

"CJ's contributions as an employee at Copper range from race crew, to ski patrol, to sales and marketing, to Village Company operations, and many things in between. Starting in 1972, he has been a major contributor to Copper's history, and now he needs our help," they explain.

CJ suffered a stroke in September and is well on his way to an amazing recovery.

"We are helping to host this event to support that recovery," Paula writes. "Chuck Tolton and Jim Spenst are the real drivers of this thing, but many of us are helping and excitement is growing. Find us on Facebook, and soon, we'll also have more ways to get in touch for those not on Facebook."

"This is going to be great for the community, longterm," Paula says. "Copper Mountain Resort Association executive director Peter Siegel said it best, 'The glue that holds a community together is history.'"

Making an early commitment of attendance was Andy Daly, the guy who went from Copper ski patroller to president of the resort. He later was the head of Vail, where he continues to live and is now the mayor.

Andy's note:

"Miles,

"Greetings. Excited to hear about the Copper reunion and fundraiser, so please add me to your list of participants. Hope you are well. Look forward to catching up with you."

Another former Copperite hoping to make it back is Janice Weitzmann Luvchuk of Grosse Pointe, Mich.

"Thanks so much for forwarding this. It would be great if I could make it to the reunion. It's been too long since I've been to Colorado.

"Very busy here with my boys' sports schedules and my work schedule.

"Please give my regards to everyone if I don't make it. Especially CJ. I'm sure he's worked very hard at his therapy.

"Take care and my best to all."

As for the pics out of the Copper past included here:

First, left to right, is of Texans Owen Kinney and artist Daryl Howard, with CJ and wife Patty attending a Michael Martin Murphey WestFest.

Next is that of Amelia Lobsenz-Stevens, a New York City PR giant (since deceased), former Copper president Harry "The Moz" Mosgrove, Copper founder and developer Chuck D. "CDL" Lewis (deceased) and Andy "Andy's Encore" Daly. Today, Andy is a co-owner of the Powerhorn Ski Area.

Those names in quotes are their namesake trails.

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Miles F. Porter IV, nicknamed "Spike," a Coloradan since 1949, is an Army veteran, former Climax miner, graduate of Adams State College, and a local since 1982. An award-winning investigative reporter, he and wife Mary E. Staby owned newspapers here for 20 years. Email your social-biz info to milesfporteriv@aol.com.